Bridge gets renovation we all deserved

The main section of the Sears Hills bridge sits on a trailer on the property of Blue Ridge Lumber Co. in Fishersville. Staunton hopes have the bridge back in place this month and open to traffic within two months after that.

Capping off a year of successes for the city of Staunton, the renovation of the footbridge over the railroad tracks between the historic Staunton train station and a hilltop neighborhood is about to be celebrated.

This comes in a year in which the city was named among the Best Small Towns by Smithsonian Magazine and as having one America's Greatest Main Streets by Travel and Leisure magazine.

City officials say the bridge should be back in place beginning on Monday, and, hopefully, open to the public by January, three years after it was closed down.

In fact, the story of how this famous old bridge has been restored and will be replaced by the first of the year speaks to the community spirit and appreciation that have helped earn this Best Small Town its recent

honors.

It wasn't the prettiest bridge you've ever seen. And other than the folks who live on Sears Hill, and the rare people who wanted to visit the small park there, it didn't seem as if that many people would care too much about the century-old structure that linked the neighborhood with downtown Staunton. But when engineers deemed the corroding metal bridge unsafe and closed it to traffic, friends of the Sears Hill Bridge were everywhere.

A strong grassroots organization started with residents describing their regular, often daily, commutes to work, shop or find entertainment across the CSX railroad tracks via the bridge. Then older residents shared fond memories of how the bridge kept them connected to the rest of the city. And the Save Our Bridge movement was formed.

Preservation architect Bill Frazier of Frazier Associates led the campaign with a goal of $200,000, and $160,000 has been raised.

Tom Sheets, owner of Blue Ridge Lumber, has played a large role in taking care of transportation and storage while the bridge renovation has been going on. And hundreds of other people have contributed to make the renovation happen.

Congratulations to all who played a part in making this

happen.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Bridge gets renovation we all deserved

Capping off a year of successes for the city of Staunton, the renovation of the footbridge over the railroad tracks between the historic Staunton train station and a hilltop neighborhood is about to